Mullion construction



Dec. 11, 1962 E. H. SMITH ETAL MULLION CONSTRUCTION Filed March 20, 1961 FIG.2.

IOO

FIG. 5.

FIG.4.

United States Patent F 3,067,845 MUIJLIUN CONSTRUCTIGN Elmus Hanby Smith, and George T. Hoyle, J12, Knoxville, Tenn., assrgnors to American Duraiite, Inc., London, Tenn., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 96,749 4- (Ilaims. (Cl. 189-75) This invention relates to a window construction, and more particularly to a window construction wherein a multiplicity of windows are joined together through a novel mullion construction. In a preferred embodiment, the mullion itself is constructed so as to provide for a bowed window arrangement.

The principal objects of the instant invention are to prov de an improved type window frame which can be readily manufactured and easily assembled in multiple units with the aid of an improved type of mullion without bolts or screws such as are commonly employed with mullions.

The above and other objects of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: W FIGURE 1 diagrammatically illustrates the cross sectlon of the inter-connection between frame elements of adjoining window members; and

FIGURE 2 diagrammatically illustrates the cross sectron of an improved mullion adapted for joining properly shaped window frame members into a bow window; and

FIGURE 3 diagrammatically illustrates the extent to which the windows may be bowed through use of the mullion illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 4 diagrammatically illustrates an alternative mode of mullion construction; and

FIGURE 5 diagrammatically illustrates in cross section theinter-connection of several windows through the mullion of FIGURE 4.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 wherein shown a bow window mullion element constructed according to the practice of the instant invention, it may be seen that mullion It) is an elongated member adapted to extend the entire length of the interconnection between adjacent window frames 2i, and 3t In cross section, mullion element is made up of a flat elongated web 12 which terminates at one end (i.e., the inside end) in a pair of oppositely directed flanges 14 which extend out almost perpendicular to web 12. In turn, each of flanges 14 terminates at an almost perpendicular rib 16 which, as may be seen from FIGURES l and 2 in the drawing, extends in a direction opposite to the web 12 and which together with flanges 14 form a single relatively broad based U-shaped channel 18 astride the terminus of web 12.

The other end of web 12 (i.e., the outside end) terminates in a second pair of oppositely directed flanges 22 which together surmount the second terminus of the web and present a unitary gently curved surface as the outside face of the mullion. Flanges 22 extend out almost perpendicular to web 12. Each flange 22 terminates in a rib 24 which as a whole is constructed to form a U-shaped channel entirely on the web side of flanges 22 and opening toward the flanges. As may be seen from FIGURES l and 2, rib 24 is comprised of a first rib portion 26 which extends generally perpendicularly from the channel in the same direction as the web 12 for a short distance. Thereafter it bends into a second rib portion 28 which extends generally perpendicular to first rib portion 26 in a direction away from the flange members 22, terminating in still a third rib portion 32 which generally extends perpendicular to its connecting rib portion 28 in the same direction as the first rib portion 26 and parallel thereto. However, the length of third rib portion 32 is shorter than the length of first rib portion 26 3,67,845 Patented Dec. 11, 1962 2 by the thickness of the window frame materials, i.e., extruded aluminum. The three rib portions form thereby a channel disposed in its entirety on the web side of flanges 22.

A particular point has been made of how the above described flanges, ribs and rib portions are not strictly perpendicular. The angles between rib, flanges and web deviate from perpendicularity a minor but significant degree in order to provide an inter-fit between the window frame elements and the mullion 10 as shown in FIGURE 1 so that a multiplicity of windows 80, 99 joined by mullion 1i} constitute a large bowed window such as is generally shown by FIGURE 3. To this effect the curved surface 23 presented as the outer face of mullion In is desirably fashioned in the shape of a circular arc with web 12 extending radially inward toward a center which lies beyond the extent of web 12.

Details of the inter-engagement between mullion 10 and the frame elements of a pair of window frames 20, 30 are shown in FIGURE 1. The window frame members 20 and 30 are shown in their normal side-to-side position as a pair of identical members which comprise in cross section a flat elongated web 42 from which upstands at least one pane supporting rib 44. This pane supporting rib and associated structure may be of any suitable construction since this feature is not germane to the instant invention. Suflice it to say that rib 44 is of a construction suitably adapted to secure a glass pane 46 in window frame 20. For completeness, FIG- URE 1 also shows an upstanding flange 48 which in coaction with appropriate portions of rib 44 serves to attach screen, sash, and/ or alternatively storm sash to window frame 20.

While the pane mounting structure on the one side of web 42 in the connected window frames 2t and 30 need not be identical, the mullion side of each web 42 must be identically adapted to inter-connection through mullions constructed according to the practice of the instant invention. Thus in the frames 26 and 30, each end of the web 42 terminates in a flange member 52 and 54, respectively, extending perpendicular to web 42 in a direction opposite that of the pane retaining rib 44. Flanges 52 and 54 terminate, respectively, in perpendicular ribs 56 and 58 which extend in the direction of web 42 and towards each other. A U-shaped channel 62 is thereby provided by flange 52, rib 56 and the terminal portion of web 42 in which rib portion 32' of mullion 1t) fits. In turn, rib 56 on the window frame fits into the channel formed by rib 24 of mullion it).

The other or inside end of web 42, its flange 54 and rib 58 similarly provide a channel 64 into which rib 16 of mullion It) inter-fits. The relatively broad-base U- shaped channel 18 surmounting the terminus of web 12 of mullion 10 provides a seat for the ribs 58 from window frame 20 and window frame 30.

In the specific mullion embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 2 the break angle between window sections is 13 degrees. Larger windows made up of a multiplicity of window frames and 90, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, form into a substantial bow which exemplarily can. amount to a radial depth of about 23 feet (radial line 65) in a cord length (line 75) amounting to about 133 feet.

For multi-window construction where a bow window is not desired, employment of the modified mullion shown in FIGURE 4 permits construction of a straight window assembly.

Mullion comprises in cross section a fiat web 112 terminating at each end in a pair of oppositely directed flanges 114 extending perpendicular to web 112. In turn, each flange 114 terminates at a perpendicular rib 116 which extends in a direction away from web 112. This construction results in the formation of a relatively broad based U-shaped channel 118 bounded by the flanges 112 and ribs 116 surmounting each terminus of web 112.

As shown in FIGURE 5, inter-connecting window frame members 20 and 39 with mullions 190 results in a straight window assembly. At each mullion connection the rib ends 116 of mullion 199 are seated in the U-shaped channels 62 and 6 5 of window frame members 20 and 30. Correspondingly, rib members 56 and 58 of each of window frames 29 and 36 are paired to set in the relatively broad-based U-shaped channel 118 of mullion member 100. In this manner the mullion described and illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5 permits any member of window frames 24} and 35, to be assembled in a straight line relationship.

While certain preferred embodiments of the instant invention have been illustrated and described above, it is to be understood that various minor modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A mullion element comprising in cross section a flat web, terminating at one end in a pair of oppositely di rected flanges with each flange ending at a rib extending in a direction opposite to the web whereby a single relatively broad-base U-shaped channel is formed by the flanges and ribs on the one terminus of the web, the other end of the web terminating in a pair of oppositely directed flanges which surmount the terminus of the web in the form of a unitary gently curved surface, each flange terminating in a rib which extends from the flange in the same direction as the web a short distance, then forms a U-shaped channel disposed entirely on the web side of the flanges and opening toward the flanges.

2. A mullion element as in claim 1 wherein said curved surface is a circular are centered beyond the opposing end of said web.

3. In a window construction, a wall having a window opening therein filled by a window made up of a plurality of inter-connected window frame members each of which includes at the inter-connection a window frame element comprising in cross section: a flat web; at least one pane supporting rib extending from one surface of said web; and end flanges on said web extending perpendicularly therefrom in the opposite direction from the pane supporting rib, each end flange terminating at a rib extending from the flange in the same direction as said web, thereby forming a pair of opposing U-shaped channels on the side of said web opposite from said pane supporting rib, said inter-connection being a pair of the above described frame elements joint in flange end to flange end abutment by a hereinafter described mullion, said mullion comprising, in cross section, a flat web terminating at one end in a pair of oppositely directed flanges with each flange ending at a rib extending in a direction opposite to the web whereby a single relatively broad-base U-shaped channel is formed by the flanges and rib on the one terminus of the web, the other end of the web terminating in a pair of oppositely directed flanges which surmount the terminus of the web in the form of a unitary gently curved surface, each flange terminating in a rib which extends away from the flange in the same direction as the web a short distance, then forms a U-shaped channel disposed entirely on the web side of the flanges and opening toward the flanges, the rib ends of said mullion being seated in the U-shaped channels of said frame elements and the rib ends of said frame elements being seated in the U-shaped channels of said mullion to thereby secure said mullion and window frame members together.

4. A window construction as in claim 3 wherein said curved surface is a circular arc centered beyond the opposing end of said web.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,926,160 McKee Sept. 12, 1933 2,810,941 Mainieri Oct. 29, 1957 2,990,922 Rudisill July 4, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 532,382 Belgium Oct. 30, 1954 

